Meet Samuel Gaskin,
Our New Organist
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If you have not heard Samuel Gaskin since he began playing the pipe organ at St. Andrew on September 4, you have really missed a true master!
Samuel's addition to the St. Andrew staff is a perfect example of how we are meeting the Church's Core Values identified in the St. Andrew Mission Study. Not only does his playing support the "Exceptional Music and Worship" core value, but it also contributes to the "Quality Education and Programming for All Ages" by exposing our congregation and guests to fine music. His outstanding talent also supports our "Outreach to our Community and Beyond," "Nurture and Compassion" and "Hospitality - Acceptance and Inclusion" core values by attracting visitors and providing comfort and a sense of welcome to all at St. Andrew.
Since the first of this month, worshipers have heard him play a number pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, as well as Paul Benoit and others.
Growing up in Beaumont, Samuel began playing the organ at age 8, when his piano teacher suggested he "give the organ a try." By age 15, Samuel had performed worldwide, including in the United Kingdom, Germany and France, and he has even played the famed organs at both Notre Dame and St. Sulpice cathedrals in Paris.
He has also performed on National Public Radio (NPR) and has won numerous awards including the Russia Tarverdiev Competition.
Samuel handles, with ease, the intricacy of the multi-tasking it takes to play the pipe organ, considered one of the most complex of all musical instruments. He practices at least four hours per day. It also helps to wear special shoes that prevent his feet from slipping around the smooth pedals.
Currently, he is working on his Master of Music degree at the University of North Texas. He graduated last May from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
In July, to thank the University United Methodist Church in San Antonio for his time with them, he presented an organ concert at the church. Here's hoping he will be interested in presenting a similar concert at St. Andrew in the near future.
Welcome, Samuel!
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Save the Date
St. Andrew Welcomes Richard Culp
Sunday, October 2
10:30am, Worship in the Sanctuary
11:45am, Lunch in Fellowship Hall
Join us as we worship together with our new pastor, Richard Culp. Richard will preach during the 10:30am worship service. Following the worship service, please stay for a special picnic-style luncheon catered by Cartwright's Ranch House. Stay tuned for other opportunities to meet with Richard!
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World Communion Sunday
October 2, 2016
We will receive the Peacemaking Offering during worship on World Communion Sunday. This annual offering is allocated using the apportionment of 25% for local use, 25% divided between Grace Presbytery and Synod of the Sun, and 50% for the General Assembly Mission Council for its peacemaking efforts. Please plan to give generously to this special offering. Thank You!
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Save the Date
Fall Festival of Faith
Doug Burr Concert
Friday, October 21
8:00pm, Sanctuary
The Reverend Dr. M. Craig Barnes
Saturday, October 22
5:30pm, Dinner in Fellowship Hall
6:15pm, Presentation
Sunday, October 23
9:30am, Presentation
10:30am, Sermon
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Festival of Church Music Trip
Sunday, November 6
Join a group from St. Andrew attending the Church Music Institute's Festival of Church Music on Sunday, November 6 at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. Members of the choir will join a choir of 400 voices for the event. St. Andrew will charter a bus so that members of the congregation can attend together. Tickets for the event are $30, which includes admission, transportation, dessert, and a special 'swag bag.' Tickets are available by payment with cash, check, or credit card on Sunday mornings. Ticket deadline is October 25. Questions? Contact Pat Edell at 940-381-0530 or
patedell@yahoo.com.
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Community Outreach Committee Diaper Drive
(September/October)
The Community Outreach Committee is collecting donations of children and adult diapers during September and October. Donated diapers will be contributed to the Interfaith Diaper Program that provides diapers to needy families and adults. Packages of diapers of any size may be placed in the two designated bins near the soda machines outside of Fellowship Hall. This year they are especially in need of children's diapers in sizes 4, 5 and 6, The goal is to reach 2000 diapers.
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Stephen Ministry
God's command that we love one another is the same now as it was thousands of years ago. Stephen Ministry is one way you can share God's love. While the new training class starts in January, we need to hear from you now to begin the interview process.
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Fall Clean-up for the Lost and Found
Please visit St. Andrew's lost and found in the Narthex work room by Sunday, October 2 to pick up any items that you may have left here over the past year. Items not picked up will be donated to Our Daily Bread on Monday, October 3.
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From the Treehouse
Thank you so much for allowing me to talk to you about the Treehouse Afterschool Program during the Moment for Mission in worship this past Sunday. Unfortunately, I had to leave unexpectedly and was unable to stay in the narthex after the service. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering in either of the ways I mentioned, please contact me at 940-297-9261 or
stephanieraesz@verizon.net, or you can leave me a message in the church office.
Stephanie Raesz
Treehouse Director
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Our Daily Bread Daily Hygiene Items Needed
Our Daily Bread is seeking donations for our daily hygiene distribution to clients. Below is a list of items identified by our volunteers committed to serving in the Hygiene Closet and Hygiene Distribution areas. We appreciate any items you are able to provide! Please drop off items
Monday-
Friday from
9:30am-1:00pm. If you do have any questions, please email
ourdailybreaddenton@gmail.com.
Items needed: tube socks, Tylenol, deodorant
Bottled water urgently needed!
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All members and visitors are invited to the Narthex after Sunday worship for a brief time of getting acquainted. The light refreshments are provided this month by the Pathfinders Sunday School class.
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September Give-a-Meal
Canned Soup or Peanut Butter, Canned Vegetable, Canned Fruit
Optional: Dry Milk, Cereal, Baby Food
Please return your non-perishable donations for the Denton Community Food Center to the collection bin by the Coke machine near Fellowship Hall. Thank You!
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Calendar
Men's Study Group
Thursday, September 22
Upper Park Cafe
222 W. Hickory
Tuesday Afternoon Women's Bible Study
Tuesday, September 27
1:30pm, Room 206/208
Super Wednesday
Wednesday, September 28
5:30pm, Meal
6:30pm, Adult Tracts
Richard Culp's First Sunday
Sunday, October 2
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